I recently had the good luck of getting another job ( ), and I found out I only owe about 3,000 dollars in debt...

My question now is, how do I start preparing myself so I can be sure to succeed as a monastic? I've been cutting down the time I spend watching movies and playing games, and I'm going for complete celibacy (which isn't much of a problem for me). I've still got a few months of work ahead of me, and I plan to start visiting the monastery I hope to ordain at.

Does anybody have any advice they can share?

Metta, Josh.

"This world completely lacks essence;It trembles in all directions.I longed to find myself a placeUnscathed — but I could not see it."

Sn 4.15 PTS: Sn 935-951 "Attadanda Sutta: Arming Oneself"

"You will be required to do wrong no matter where you go... This is the curse at work, the curse that feeds on all life..."

Contemplate the five precepts and if you so wish pick some more up to the eight precepts

try to reduce sense impressions and excitements. try to avoid concerts, shows, cinema and tv as much as possible. this to prepare yourself for the frustrating experiences when your habits will be challenged in monastic enviroments.

What does womanhood matter at all, when the mind is concentrated well, when knowledge flows on steadily as one sees correctly into Dhamma. One to whom it might occur, ‘I am a woman’ or ‘I am a man’ or ‘I’m anything at all’ is fit for Mara to address. – SN 5.2

If they take what's yours, tell yourself that you're making it a gift.Otherwise there will be no end to the animosity. - Ajahn Fuang Jotiko